Album Review of Dusk by Ladyfinger (ne).

Dusk

Ladyfinger (ne)

Dusk - Fairly Good, Based on 3 Critics

PopMatters - 70Based on rating 7/10

70

Whichever way you look at it, Ladyfinger (ne) has always been somewhat of an awkward fit. As far and away the heaviest band on Conor Oberst’s Saddle Creek Records, their sound isn’t exactly one that would seem very enticing to fans of labelmates Bright Eyes or Tokyo Police Club. They draw heavily from punk and post-hardcore, but don’t pander to those crowds, going for a broader style than many of their peers are willing to attempt.

Whether it be a quirk of fate or a case of wrong thrice over (wrong place/ wrong time/ wrong sound), Ladyfinger (ne), a post-hardcore four-piece from Emoha, and the hardest rockin' gents on Conor Oberst's Saddle Creek label, have been largely passed over by rock critics and fans alike. Maybe it's that Saddle Creek devotees expect a band called Ladyfinger (ne)-- the (ne) not (thank god) a coy reference to Barthes but to Nebraska-- to have more in common with their navelgazing labelmates. That's not to say that Ladyfinger (ne)-- comprised of singer/guitarist Chris Machmuller (formerly of Bleeders for Treats), ex-Faint bassist Ethan Jones, guitarist Jamie Massey, and drummer Pat Oakes -- aren't searching deep within their hearts and souls for inspiration, but all that rock'n'roll bluster obscures much of the whining.

Dusk opens with incendiary guitars, crashing drums and electrifying vocals as Ladyfinger (Ne) calls for the volume and testosterone levels to grow rapidly. It balances the focus between the modest songwriting and energetic music, and while some parts won’t stay with you, others will. In either case, it’s definitely worth rocking out to with some friends while you hang out.